Spain 2-1 Germany (AET)
In a tight game, it was two late goals that proved critical as Spain knocked out the Hosts Germany! Kai Havertz had a decent chance which he headed straight at Unai Simon before Alvaro Morata had a really good chance which he poorly guided over! 6 minutes into the Second Half though and it was Spain who took the lead courtesy of a nice finish from Dani Olmo! Niclas Fullkrug then came close for Germany as he hit the post before Kai Havertz had a great chance which he put just over the crossbar! However, in the 89th minute, Germany finally had their goal as Florian Wirtz scored to send the game into Extra Time! In Extra Time, Florian Wirtz came within an inch of putting the Hosts in front before unbelievably, Mikel Merino scored in the 119th minute to put Spain back in front! However, the game wasn’t done there as Niclas Fullkrug once again came within a whisker of scoring for Germany before Dani Carvajal got sent off for Spain! Overall, this was a massive win for Spain, and you have to fancy them to go on and win from here! As for Germany, not winning a Tournament in your own country is going to sting, no doubt about it.
Portugal 0-0 France (France Win on Penalties)
After a pretty terrible game, it was France who stayed calm to prevail in the Penalty Shootout! After literally nothing happened, the first real chance came to Bruno Fernandes, but his effort was parried away well by Mike Maignan. Vitinha then had a great chance which he struck straight at Maignan before Ruben Dias pulled out a terrific block to deny Randal Kolo Muani. Edoardo Camavinga then came within a whisker of giving France the lead (I still can’t believe he missed) before Cristiano Ronaldo had a great chance in Extra Time which he blazed high and wide! This ultimately meant the game headed to penalties, and it was Joao Felix’s miss that proved costly as Theo Hernandez stepped up and scored to complete a clean sweep for France and a spot in the Semi-Finals to boot! In the end, Portugal will be very disappointed with once again coming short in a Major Tournament! As for France, they are through once again, but they have to improve if they’re to make it to the Final!
England 1-1 Switzerland (England Win on Penalties)
In another game that went to penalties, it was England who managed to overcome Switzerland! In a game that saw little action, the first big moment came when Breel Embolo tapped home from close range to give Switzerland the lead after 75! Just 5 minutes later though and England were level through a lovely strike from Bukayo Saka! Switzerland then had a great chance to win the game at the end, but they just couldn’t turn the ball home! In Extra Time, Jude Bellingham had a half chance which was saved comfortably by Yann Sommer before Silvan Widmer had a really good chance to win it for The Swiss, but he blazed his effort over! In the Penalty Shootout, Jordan Pickford made a big save to deny Manuel Akanji before Trent Alexander-Arnold eventually stepped up and scored the winning penalty to send England into the Final 4! In the end, England once again got away with one, but they won’t care as they’re through! As for Switzerland, they’ll be kicking themselves that they didn’t win this game because the Tournament was there for them!
Netherlands 2-1 Turkey
A Second Half comeback saw the Netherlands edge out Turkey in what was by far the best match of the round! After 35 minutes, it was Turkey who took the lead as Samet Akaydin headed home at the back post after a lovely ball in from Arda Guler. In the Second Half, Guler came super close to doubling Turkey’s lead as his free-kick effort hit the outside of the post before a brilliant bit of defending from Wout Weghorst stopped it from being 2-0! Weghorst then had a chance of his own to equalise which he didn’t connect with well, but in the 70th minute, the Netherlands were level thanks to Stefan de Vrij! And then, just 6 minutes later, the Dutch took the lead courtesy of a Mert Muldur own goal! And at the end of the game, Turkey would’ve equalised if it wasn’t for the brilliant reflexes of Bart Verbruggen (which is actually ironic given what happened at the end of Turkey’s last game). Overall, it’s a great result for the Netherlands, and they will definitely fancy themselves now! As for Turkey, they’ll be disappointed they lost given the chances they created, but they should still be super proud of their overall efforts!
Semi-Final Preview:
Spain VS France
Two titans face-off in a European Championship Semi-Final as Spain take on France! Spain still have an 100% winning record in this competition and their aggregate score stands at 11-2! As for France, they’ve won 2 games and drawn 3 so far, and that’s resulted in an aggregate score of just 3-1! Overall, Spain have been by far the better side in this Tournament, but this is France which means you cannot rule them out!
My Prediction: 0-0 (France Win on Penalties)
Netherlands VS England
And in the other Semi-Final, the Netherlands take on England! The Netherlands have won 3, drawn 1, and lost 1 so far in this competition and their aggregate score stands at 9-5! As for England, they’ve managed 2 wins and 3 draws at Euro 2024 and their overall aggregate score is 5-3! Overall, England are probably the favourites, but it would be very wrong to count out The Dutch!
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